Paul Skenes Is Dominant — But the Pittsburgh Pirates Keep Wasting Him

A Cy Young-Caliber Arm Trapped in a Run-Starved Rotation

Skenes has already cemented himself as one of the most electrifying young pitchers in Major League Baseball. Since debuting with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he’s posted a sub-2.50 ERA, a WHIP hovering around 1.00, and strikeout numbers that rival peak Gerrit Cole now on the New York Yankees. But what’s most shocking isn’t how good Skenes has been — it’s how little his team has done to support him.

Despite turning in yet another gem this week against the Cubs, Skenes left the mound without a win — again. Through his first 13 starts of 2025, the Pirates have scored 0 or 1 run in more than half of them. This isn’t just “bad luck.” It’s becoming a statistical indictment of a team squandering a generational talent.

Déjà Vu for Pitching Aces

What’s happening in Pittsburgh echoes what we saw with Jacob deGrom when he was with the New York Mets (now with the Texas Rangers) and Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins— elite arms consistently robbed of wins by anemic offenses. It’s one thing to get outdueled. It’s another to receive less than two runs per game while leading the National League in strikeout rate.

Even when the Pirates do manage to string together hits — like their 8-run outburst the day after a Skenes start — it feels almost cosmic. Whether it’s psychological or systemic, the run support is disappearing exactly when Pittsburgh needs it most.

What’s Wrong with the Offense?

Skenes deserves better, but the Pirates simply lack firepower. Beyond O’Neil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds, the lineup is a mix of inconsistent youth and middling veterans. Ke’Bryan Hayes has been solid when healthy, but that’s rarely the case. And the designated hitter slot has been a rotating black hole.

It’s a front office failure, plain and simple. The team has one of the best pitchers of the last decade — and they’ve done almost nothing to build a contender around him. Barring a miracle trade or sudden prospect surge, this is who the Pirates are in 2025: a team with one superstar and no real support.

Betting Perspective: Fade the Pirates, Not Skenes

How to Approach Skenes Starts:

• Game Lines: The Pirates are often underdogs even when Skenes pitches — creating real betting tension. Despite his dominance, Pittsburgh is barely .500 in his starts.

• Totals: Consistently low-scoring games make under 7.5 a sharp play, especially against teams with middling lineups.

• Strikeout Props: Skenes’ K-prop regularly sits around 7.5 to 8.5, and he’s cleared it in 70% of his outings. This is the best way to back his brilliance without trusting Pittsburgh’s bats.

• Win Props: Avoid betting Skenes for the win — the Pirates’ run support issues make him a risk at any price.

Futures Market:

• NL Cy Young: Despite the win-loss record, Skenes is firmly in the mix at +600 to +800 depending on the book. Voters are beginning to look past outdated win metrics, and his FIP, ERA+, and WAR are among the best in baseball.

• Team Futures: Pittsburgh’s playoff odds have slipped to +3000 or worse — not because of pitching, but due to an offense that ranks in the NL’s bottom third in almost every category.

Final Word: A Star Without a Stage

Skenes is everything you could ask for in a franchise pitcher: dominant, durable, and downright unhittable. But without offensive help, his legend risks being buried under no-decisions and 2-1 losses. If Pittsburgh doesn’t act soon — either at the deadline or this winter — they’re not just wasting 2025.

They’re wasting his prime.

As for bettors? Ride the strikeouts. Fade the team. And don’t expect the scoreboard to light up unless Skenes is watching from the dugout.

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